ICEHOTEL began in 1989 as an igloo on the frozen Torne River and has been rebuilt every winter since. Each season, artists and designers from around the world carve a new set of art suites out of river ice, so no two winters are the same. The ice rooms open in phases from mid-November, with the full hotel ready by mid-December, and melt back into the river each spring.

Since 2016, ICEHOTEL 365 has kept part of the experience open all year: a permanent building of art suites and an ice bar, cooled by solar power in summer. You can also stay in warm rooms and chalets on the same site, which most people mix with a single night on ice.

Jukkasjärvi sits well inside the auroral oval, and the northern lights are a regular winter sight over the river. The hotel runs aurora excursions by snowmobile, dog sled and on foot, away from the village lights.

Worth knowing before booking: the cold rooms run at about 23°F to 19°F, with thermal sleeping bags provided. Most guests book one night on ice and the rest in warm rooms.

STARGAZING AMENITIES: Guided northern lights excursions by snowmobile, dog sled and on foot, art suites carved from Torne River ice, year-round ICEHOTEL 365 wing, warm rooms and chalets on site, open riverbank for aurora viewing